I know that's most of you. My big boy cat Django is fighting for his life this morning. Any healing thoughts you can send his way will be appreciated. But that's not why I'm posting.

The first time a cat adopted me, I was thrilled. As time passed, I acquired more animals--cats and dogs. When you're young and stupid, as I was, it's easy to forget that an animal means a commitment of around 15 years, more if you're lucky. It means a financial commitment. You are responsible for another life, more so even than a child, because the animal depends on you for its entire life span. I didn't always handle these responsibilities as well as I could or should have. I did not always do right by my animals, sometimes because of circumstances, and sometimes out of sheer stupidity. I couldn't always afford vet care. My (now) ex-husband threw me out of the house. I had nowhere to go with my kitties, and had to give them to shelters.

I like to think I know better now. But, you never know.

I am lucky enough to have the financial means to obtain good veterinary care for my kitties. The vet made it clear that if I didn't authorize the diagnostics and treatment, Django wouldn't make it through today. He still might not, even after I've thrown a couple of thousand dollars at him. But: what if I couldn't afford him? When I adopted him and his sister, I thought long and hard: can I afford to keep these animals for 15 years? Can I afford medical treatment for them, both routine and emergency? What if something happens to me? As it was, the vet scolded me for not bringing the kitties in for their annual last year. I skipped it because money was tight. Bad. We find money for what's important.

Animals are heartbreaks waiting to happen. They are also one of life's greatest joys. I cannot imagine my life without them.

Please, animal lovers. Take your responsibilities seriously. I know I'm probably preaching to the choir, but one reads enough in the news about gross neglect, and irresponsible pet "owners," that I don't think it can be said often enough. Cherish your babies.

Thank you for reading.

I hope everyone who wants to share their life with an animal asks the same questions.

They can't figure out what's wrong, and that's what's so worrying. He has jaundice and symptoms of acute diabetes, but he's only 4. The vet thinks something else is going on, so that's why the tests.

I had to say "goodbye" to a darling little Gizmo many years ago because the vet shook his head and said, "this cat will never be healthy. His life will be short, and full of suffering." I never forgot that. And, when it's time to say goodbye, I hold them in my arms until the very end.

He is in good hands at the hospital. They tell me it will be several days and even then he may not make it. The diagnosis is diabetes with possible complications. They're treating him aggressively with fluids, insulin, and antibiotics. I am ready to let go if that is what the gods have planned, although he is very dear to my heart and I fought tooth and claw (no pun intended) to keep him when my ex-partner didn't want him (he was part of an abandoned litter...nobody wanted the boy cat).

27. you have my love for this. I had to let go of my little Robby on Jan.

24th. He looked at me and I knew it was the end. He had bladder cancer. He had survived a pre-cancerous prostate, thyroid cancer, an operation to restore his funtion below his waist from paralysis, cysts and finally bladder cancer. He was my hero. I had to let him go.

I know what you mean about the process you go through to understand the meaning of animals and how they make you better by their unconditional love. I have had dogs and cats for my whole life. My last five dogs, all of them raised together are down to two. Andrew lost an eye and had one removed. He fell and died in my arms. I still cry about him. Tippy fell and died four days later from a broken vessel. He's in my sig. Tim and Pip are still with me. Tim is 17, nearly blind and deaf and arthritic. He has forgotten more grace than I will ever know. Pip is nearly blind, deaf and has a heart condition and teeth that will probably kill him. (Dachshunds have bad teeth) He can't survive another cleaning.

Love your baby. Remember them always. Do what you can. Always be mindful. They are the most unconditional love and devotion you will ever get. I hug you today.

This animal lover fully agrees with you. They look to us for love, care and to make the tough decisions for them. Don't take on more than you can handle and know beforehand what you are prepared to do with regard to paying for it's health issues. We do have a regular budget for pets each month set aside (not for food and essentials, but for their vet care). We have had to use on several occasions and have never regretted it, but I know where our personal line is drawn and have had to make those tough decisions to let go before. It's not easy but it is any owner's responsibility. We don't take on more animals than we can provide care for and that goes way beyond food and shots.

That's why this is so alarming, and so puzzling. Sudden onset of severe illness in a young animal is never a good sign. I trust my vet with my animal's life. She is the kindest, gentlest soul you could imagine. I have never known a better cat doctor. She would never fleece me, and if she thought treatment would be futile, she'd say so.

32. My old lady cat Lila was 18 in November, and my cat Gabby had to be put

Edited on Mon Apr-04-11 07:39 PM by tblue37

to sleep in 2005 at age 19 when she developed a very nasty, fast-growing jaw cancer. When she went in to have her teeth cleaned, they found some hard tissue, which they had biopsied. It grew so fast that 3 weeks later I had to let her go!

Anyway, when planning for the elngth of one's commitment, people should keep in mind that cats may well live even more than 15 years, especially with good care. I know that Lila is probably in her last year, though she's doing well for now, and of course I hope for more time with her.

But 18-20 is not all that unusual for a healthy well cared for cat these days!

I will be sending good vibes for your little friend. I have a 5-year-old kitty who is suffering from some sort of intestinal issue right now. Her diarrhea and appetite loss just started, so I will give her a couple of days to see if it is something temporary, but if she takes a turn for the worse or if she doesn't get better within the next two days, she's going to see the vet!

has serious dimentia but can still jump up on the counter and climb up and down the ladder to her kitty door. problem lately is she started peeing on anything left on the floor. (shoes, a wet towel, clothes that miss the laundry hamper)...........she "catches and kills" the dog's stuffed animals and viciously attempts to rip them to pieces. she yells to be fed, smells her food then walks away. approximately four times a day, she will ravenously eat the whole bowel full and then immediately beg for more. she's stopped grooming herself, refuses to be brushed. all I can do is attempt to cut the matted fur now and again. she no longer wants to be pet or to sit on my lap. every night I get a warm towel from the dryer and bring her to my bed. when I come home she runs down the ladder to great me and walks with me through the front door.

we've been friends so very long and I truly love my girl, but my friggin family is buggin to put her down. I say she's earned the right to be a great pain in the ass for as long as she wants. so there.we were just at the vet who said she's just really sensitive now and my grooming her prolly hurts, so just keep trimming the mats and wiping her with warm cloth.

we waited way too long to put him out of what I know was a life of misery. I will never forgive myself for that. Poor guy didn't know where anything was, couldn't see well, was incontinent (and thus would walk through poo during the night and get it all over himself and everything else), was crabby with our other dogs, didn't realize we were home for about an hour after we'd arrived, lost weight, and couldn't walk well. It was a nightmare for him, for us, and for our other dogs. He'd have suffered immensely in the heat of the summer. Dementia doesn't hurt animals physically, but he was no longer our dog. And we finally decided it was time for him to rest. It sucked.

and I weigh the pros and cons daily. she still gets around well, does not leak, has a full tummy, so that's my measure. we had a talk last night, I found a kool box with a lid for shoes at the front door, and everyone's careful about the hamper. the thing is, our house has had some heavy trauma lately and I think she's affected by our stress and worrying and that may be why she was marking stuff with pee.

I really hope she just passes in her sleep, but if it gets painful I will help her cross over.

I had a senile poodle that was blind and nearly deaf and had to be hand fed wet dog food but he still knew me and didn't seem to be suffering. I finally did call a vet to come to my house and euthanize him - I didn't want his last moments to be scary. I held him while he died. To this day, I wonder if I waited too long or did it too early.

We know of what you speak.Tikki (the dog) is our last fur baby. We are in the age group where a puppy most likely wouldout-live us and certainly out do our strength.Doesn't mean we won't make ourselves available to critter sit or visit homes with pets.We have had 2 forever dogs...not bad for us in our 60's.

Thank you for this post and the gentle reminders that our pets are living and loving.

And may not make it, despite the best care. He has been diagnosed with diabetes and will be in the hospital for several days until his condition stabilizes. I signed a DNR and asked the staff to call me if they felt that treatment was ineffective or that DJ was suffering needlessly. Can you put a price on a life?

Thank you to my DU family for your kind thoughts. DJ, Kate, and I appreciate them.

After about four months of illness, we lost our precious Shadow a couple of weeks ago. He was 17 years old. I am thankful for the extra time we had together those last few months. It was evident when it was time to let him go, but it still broke my heart. You will know what's best for Django.

go through this, but man oh man, each and every time we lose one of our best friends or go through suffering with them, it gets no easier.

We had a chihuahua who was the sassiest little sass on the planet who died on my lap several years ago. She woke up one day unable to breathe easily, took her to the vet the next morning who did tests of all sorts. Afternoon came, the vet called to tell me they found nothing wrong with her. They were told little Pie-Pies body had left us an hour before.

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion
board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules
page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the
opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent
the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.